It’s game day again and the last for Team 136 as Michigan takes on Florida in the Citrus Bowl. It should be a defensive slugfest but I fully expect the Wolverines to win in pretty convincing fashion thanks to the Gators offensive line and quarterback issues.
Besides the bowl game, Michigan fans may stick around in Orlando to check out the Under Armour All-American game which features several top targets and commits, including the nation’s #1 player.
Gary Highlights
Speaking of Paramus Catholic (NJ) DL Rashan Gary, his senior highlights were released recently and there’s not much else to say about what he could bring to Michigan’s defense. Just take a look for yourself:
All signs continue to point towards Michigan for Gary, including his latest interview with his mother where she did all but say UM was her favorite. Add in his unofficial visit to Ann Arbor for January 21-23rd and I think UM is sitting very pretty here.
Dancing for Delance?
As for another top priority for the Michigan coaching staff, North Mesquite (TX) OT Jean Delance is set to make his college decision at the Under Armour All-American game and I’m sticking with my December BGRC prediction of Michigan.
Wolverine247’s Steve Lorenz reaffirmed his Crystal Ball and The Wolverine’s Tim Sullivan joined in on the prediction after reading the tea leaves from Delance’s comments during an interview at the UA practices ($):
Delance said he and his mother have to “duke it out” over where he goes. That his mother openly prefers him to stay at Texas, and that the phrasing implies he and Mom are on opposite sides of a disagreement (or boxing match, if he’s being strictly literal, I guess)… that means he’s favoring Michigan, right? And feels like he has to talk his mother into giving her blessing to head North before he’s comfortable making the call.
I believe Sullivan is absolutely on point here. Add in the questions surrounding the Texas coaching staff and the early playing time opportunity available Michigan, I believe he’ll be able to sway his mom to Michigan.
Now, could his mom win out in that argument? It’s definitely possible. This situation reminds me a bit of IMG Academy (FL) TE Isaac Nauta‘s.
All football signs and opportunities point to Michigan but immediate family and playing near “home” are big time factors. But unlike Nauta, I believe Delance goes with his head over his heart, similar to LB Devin Bush Jr., and chooses the Wolverines.
Hudson’s Coming to Town
Like Jean Delance, McKeesport (PA) ATH Khaleke Hudson made his first appearance on my December BGRC and he may stay there throughout.
The easiest way to describe Hudson would be as a poor man’s Jabrill Peppers (and that’s not an insult to Hudson, more of a compliment to Peppers). He has that size, physical build and athleticism that allows him to star at RB, S, LB and KR/PR at the high school level and possibly at the collegiate level. And that’s why I believe he’s starting to become a top target for the staff.
According to Lorenz, Penn State is the top contender for his signature at the moment but Michigan may have their opening after PSU held off on accepting a commitment in the past ($).
With Michigan getting that first official visit after the dead period, I believe they may roll out the red carpet to try and reel in a commitment and have him cancel his remaining visits.
It’s not known exactly where he stands on the board but with Old Tappan (NJ) ATH Jordan Fuller looking like a top priority for the staff, Hudson may have to make a quick decision during/soon after his official to guarantee a spot in this class.
Here is Hudson telling Scout’s Derek Young about his plans to officially visit Michigan on January 15th during an interview at the Semper Fi All-American Bowl:
Morris to Return
Junior QB Shane Morris let reporters know during an interview at the Citrus Bowl that he plans to stay at Michigan, graduate and play out his eligibility.
Shane Morris says he plans on finishing his eligibility at Michigan.
— Nick Baumgardner (@nickbaumgardner) December 30, 2015
This comes after a season full of rumors about Morris likely transferring out after he possibly graduates this spring and having two full seasons at another program. Well, this definitely changes things up and could end up being pretty huge for Michigan as they need a solid option to push John O’Korn in 2016 and if Morris is indeed taking to Harbaugh’s coaching, he could very well be that guy.
But at the same time, smart players say the right things to reporters and don’t want to stir the pot and take the focus off the team. So, lets just say I’ll fully believe Morris when I see it.
Quick Hitters
- There have been some questions about the Camden duo of WR Brad Hawkins and DE Ron Johnson possibly taking visits after the dead period. Well, according to Scout’s Brian Dohn, they both may take an official visit elsewhere but there is nothing to worry about as they’re “100% Michigan” ($).
- The Wolverine’s Brandon Brown has a great article about 15 of the 23 commitments in Michigan’s 2016 class being named to All-State teams.
- The Michigan Insider’s Brice Marich interviewed Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (MI) WR KJ Hamler and the talented receiver was glowing while talking about Jim Harbaugh and Michigan ($).
Photo Credit: Rebecca Droke/Post-Gazette
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